A casino is a place where people can gamble and play games of chance. It may add luxuries like restaurants, free drinks and stage shows to attract customers, but the primary purpose is to offer gambling. Successful casinos generate billions in revenues for the companies, investors and Native American tribes that own them. In addition, states and local governments collect taxes and fees from the businesses.

Casinos have a long history. They began as a public hall for music and dancing, but by the second half of the 19th century, they had shifted to games of chance. During most of the country’s history, gambling was illegal. This did not prevent casino gaming from taking root in Nevada, but it stifled the growth of casinos outside that state.

Mob money helped casinos expand during the 1950s. Mafia figures had plenty of cash from drug dealing and extortion rackets, and they were willing to invest it in Nevada’s casino strip. They financed the building and renovation of many casinos, and they often took sole or partial ownership of the enterprises. They also supervised operations, and they used their muscle to ensure that gamblers were treated fairly.

Modern casinos rely heavily on technology to keep crime at bay. They have a dedicated security department and specialized surveillance systems. These include “chip tracking,” which allows casinos to monitor bets made by patrons minute-by-minute, and electronic systems that constantly check roulette wheels for statistical anomalies.